Italy to Trial Starlink Satellites to Enhance Internet Access

Italy plans to test Starlink satellites to improve internet access in remote areas. Discussions are ongoing with regional administrations to explore the use of satellites for enhancing existing infrastructure. The government aims to ensure 1 Gigabit per second internet speeds for all homes and businesses in Italy by 2026.

Alessio Butti, Undersecretary to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed in an interview with Il Sole 24 Ore daily that discussions about the Starlink project were ongoing with various regional administrations. This initiative comes ahead of a Group of Seven ministerial meeting on technology and digital on Lake Como.

"We're assessing with Starlink and other players the possibility of complementing existing infrastructure with satellites for the most remote areas," Butti explained.

Specifically mentioning Starlink, Butti mentioned ongoing talks with regions in the north, centre, and south of Italy to trial a 'space-based service' for remote or infrastructure-lacking areas.

The government is exploring options like a satellite-based internet service to compensate for delays in fiber rollout plans by companies. This move is part of a broader plan under the European Union post-pandemic recovery programme to ensure that households and businesses across Italy have access to fixed-line internet speeds of at least 1 Gigabit per second by 2026.

In 2022, state-backed fiber-optic companies Open Fiber and FiberCop secured €3.4 billion (US$3.71 billion) in EU funds to enable full-fibre connectivity throughout Italy. However, reports from Italian media indicate that less than a third of the planned rollout has been completed thus far.

Butti emphasised, "The Italy at 1 Giga scheme is a key element of our commitments under the post-pandemic recovery plan, and we're aware of the importance of reaching the target set for 2026,"

Starlink is already providing satellite internet services in Italy, boasting over 50,000 customers in the country, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Italy plans to test Starlink satellites to improve internet access in remote areas.
Discussions are ongoing with regional administrations to explore the use of satellites for enhancing existing infrastructure.
The government aims to ensure 1 Gigabit per second internet speeds for all homes and businesses in Italy by 2026.

Source: REUTERS